Résid'Artel Cadarache - ITER

At the boundary of the village, this establishment is nestled in a fine Provençal house complete with a terrace beneath an arbour. On one side is a table d'hôte set up to face the glass-paned kitchens, on the other is a cosy dining area decorated in pastel and olive-green tones. Chef Nicolas Seibold (previously at La Mutinerie in Lyon, featured on French TV's Top Chef, Le Negresco, La Dame de Pic and Ledoyen) is supported by his partner Clémence Bellemin, who provides smiling service. After carefully selecting his suppliers (fishermen from Le Grau-du-Roi, local market gardeners), this creative

This 18C château is set in listed grounds with many species of trees, including an Atlas cedar planted by the late Queen Mother. The restaurant has taken up abode in plush sitting rooms on the first floor, while in summer, meals are served on the monumental terrace. The son of farmers from the Loire region, Marc Fontanne (formerly Le Prieuré at Villeneuve-lès-Avignon) started learning the ropes from his brother, a butcher and charcutier, at a young age. He serves three tasting menus, one of which is entirely vegetarian. Tempura and roasted dwarf broccoli with a red onion and basil jus; flame-l

In this 18C bastide, chef Mathieu Derible presents pared-back cuisine rooted in Provençal traditions. Nods to Normandy and Burgundy permeate his creations, reflecting his training under great masters. The remarkably precise sauces complement fine ingredients in simply presented dishes. Overlooking the château's formal garden, the terrace is a magical setting in which to discover a wine list with plenty of labels from Burgundy and Provence. Attentive service is the icing on the cake of this serene and refined experience.

This "petite maison" imbued with a genteel Provençal charm and recognisable by its yellow façade is the stomping ground of chef Éric Sapet. He elevates market ingredients like no other: mushrooms, including truffles, to which he dedicates a set menu in season, vegetables from local market gardeners, Provençal cheeses, game and also shellfish. A devoted gourmet and wine-lover, Sapet already has a solid career to his name and delivers classic Provençal cuisine rife with flavours. Be aware that the restaurant often gets fully booked.

Here in the historical centre of the village, Manosque native Bastien Delgado invites diners to sample his generous modern cuisine that is strongly rooted in Provence. Trained at Dominique Bucaille, he has honed a taste for meat, particularly calf sweetbreads; his time at La Bastide de Moustiers (Alain Ducasse), meanwhile, has influenced his use of vegetables, a prominent feature on his menu. His menu-carte is excellent value for money and showcases refined, fragrant and creative cuisine: semi-cooked tuna with wild garlic, or verbena and peach clafoutis with citrus fruits and almonds.

Set in deepest Provence, Mane is both picturesque and steeped in history, which is also true of the 17C Couvent des Minimes, whose admirable restoration has retained its period charm. This provençal Arcadia is home to a luxury hotel, with swimming pool, spa and a fine dining restaurant, named after Louis Feuillée, Louis XIV's botanist, who was born in the village. The kitchens are masterfully run by Louis Gachet, MOF 2023, who seamlessly navigates between his native Burgundy and Provence. Bold dishes and exquisite sauces exemplify the creative consummate culinary talent of this virtuoso chef.

Non-conformist chef Loïc Pétri cut his teeth in leading Parisian establishments (Jean-François Piège, Joël Robuchon) before going back to his roots in the south of France. In the heart of the historical part of Aix, in his intimate, contemporary-style restaurant with just 12 covers, he lets his inspiration run riot with a single set menu guided by the seasons. With bold associations and a savvy use of oils, spices and chillies, his free-spirited cooking elevates the finest ingredients, such as bass, lobster and sweetbreads, which are treated with care and dexterity. You can sense the commitmen